Friday 23^rd February - Went on a planned walk, with five other birdwatchers to Cockaynes Wood near Alreford, guided by local Wildlife photographer and birder Liz Huxley. Excellent couple of hours spent looking around on a cold but dry morning. A bit muddy in places, but what do you expect it’s winter, with appropriate clothing and footwear, no problem.

Some good sightings of thirty-five different species of birds.
The highlights being Siskins (c20) feeding on Alder tree seeds.

Fieldfares (c45), Linnets (c15), Mistle Thrush (2) mainly flitting around on the ground, in open fields. Yellowhammer, Great Crested Grebe on the pond and a Snipe which we disturbed, flew off from the reeds.

A couple of plant species to note; Bluebells, Lords &Ladies, all coming through and Lesser Celendine which was flowering, spring won’t be long and finally a Fungus called a Scarlet elf cup, apparently getting rare in Essex. 

A nice little Robin welcomed us in.

( Click on photo to enlarge).